Rui Esteves is definitely from Peru and has a blog! Rui tries to find the good in everyone, which is difficult when he has to work for this hive of scum and villainy, but he makes do. Rui does so enjoy graphic novels, as evident from the name of his blog: Reading Graphic Novels, twitter handle: @RGNblog, and Facebook page: rgnblog.

CoverSHRUGGED #4
Frank Mastromauro ­ Story / Jonathan Marks ­ Art / Beth Sotelo, Kyle Ritter - ColorsNot much hope remains as Lord Slive and his fear creatures have gained control over Perspecta and the Earth. Though all seems lost, Theo isn't giving up and heads to a forgotten land where one last bastion of help may reside. However, the journey itself is a task very few have ever survived, and Theo's chances of making it are not looking up!Created by Michael Turner and Frank Mastromauro, with illustrations by newcomer Jonathan Marks and colors by Beth Sotelo, make sure to listen tot he voices inside your head and pick up the newest issue of SHRUGGED today!SHRUGGED #4 is in stores October 23rd, 2013!
Preview Page 1
Preview Page 2
Preview Page 3
Cover B
Cover C
Cover DFollow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/10/cover-shrugged-4-frank-mastromauro.html

Cover
Marko, Alana and Hazel continue their struggle for freedom. As if being persecuted by both sides of the war wasn't enough, now they have to deal with one of the most powerful and disruptive force in the Universe. Alana's parents-in-law.After their sudden and abrupt acquaintance in the last chapter of Saga. Alana has the difficult task of getting to know her parents-in-law. At the same time Marko and his mother set out to rescue Izabel, their ghostly nanny that got banished by Barr (Marko's father).How is it?
Meet-cute
There are two main themes in this volume, Marko and Alana's get to know each other story and a meet the parents arc. Brian K. Vaughan manages to write both of them in a very interesting light. He takes the opportunity of writing an origin story and enhances it with enough sociological background for the reader to get a better understanding of the scale and meaning (or lack there of) of the war.In the meet the parents section BKV does something a bit different. He doesn't play the angle of the conflict between Alana and Marko's parents very much. Sure there is tension, they come from different sides of the war after all, but BKV goes beyond it. Instead the story focus more on how Marko's parents try to reconnect with their son and how they'll face a terrible secret together.In fact family is a common theme for all characters in this book. Even the antagonists have to deal with family issues. Some to remember what they lost, other to confirm their resolve.What this volume manages is to enlarge Saga's Universe by adding new characters, while at the same time fleshing out the existing ones. BKV gives the reader a deeper insight into Marko and Alana's relationship and also at the conflict between their races. He is paving the road for the long run. Saga is being built on solid ground, if BKV and Fiona keep this creative flow going we're going to have top list series.Art wise Fiona Staples keeps the same art style from the previous volume. She draws Saga with a very consistent style. If by now you're still feeling jarred by the art style, then this might not be for you. But in all honesty, and this comes from someone that found the initial pages of Saga unpleasing to the eye, this art direction is an acquired taste. An easily acquired taste. If you give it a chance, you'll surely fall in love with it.Personally I love the character designs the most. I love how unique and detailed they are. Not only there are different humanoid races, but the characters are truly unique. On the other hand the coloring is fantastic. The pastel colors fit the art like a glove. Nothing is muddy and unrecognizable. Even in the most chaotic of panels everything is distinguishable.
Meet my wifeVerdict?The first volume told a good story and promised a great series. This second volume confirms that promise. This is a great series for any comic book reader. I can't recommend this enough.Publisher: Image ComicsYear: 2013Pages: 144Authors: Brian K Vaughan, Fiona StaplesISBN: 1607066920Follow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-saga-volume-2.html

Aspen Comics NYCC Announcements
Lola
New Aspen Series Debuting in 2014:
“Lola” from creator Siya Oum (Charismagic, Executive Assistant: Iris) will be released in Spring 2014 and features a story fully written and illustrated by Oum. Featuring a post-apocalyptic landscape and one woman’s desire to discover the truth about her missing parents while she traverses the landscape known as the “Wasteland” in search of them.
Damsels in Excess
“Damsels in Excess” from creator Vince Hernandez (Charismagic, Trish Out of Water) and Mirka Andolfo (Charismagic, Trish Out of Water) is a fairy tale action-adventure series that centers on a young princess, Bethany, who must survive the deadly threat of her fellow princesses of the Five Realms before they destroy her kingdom—and end her life.Returning Aspen Series in 2014:
Jirni
J.T. Krul’s fantasy adventure series “Jirni” returns for a second volume with the original first volume’s art team of Paolo Pantalena and Brett Smith following the breakout success of its initial offering. Aspen will also be releasing a spinoff mini-series written by Krul, “Jirni: Fall of the D’jinn” set for release the same month as the launch of Jirni: Volume 2.
LOTSC
David Wohl and Brad Foxhoven’s “Legend of the Shadow Clan” returns for a second volume as well, following the hit first story arc. The art team of Cory Smith and John Starr will be returning as the series art team for the next volume.Aspen Novels New Release – “7 to Die”:Aspen Novels is set to publish “7 To Die” by author Tag Roberts in 2014. Aspen will be adding another novel to their burgeoning line of books this year with the release of “7 To Die” with more to follow soon. “7 TO DIE” tells the story of Lex MacArthur, a bright, but struggling San Francisco college student who inexplicably receives an enigmatic clay pendant with an etched eight-pointed star in the mail. The pendant, which unlocks a bevy of dormant superhuman genes, also ignites Lex’s mission to discover who she is and where she came from. With several new enemies aggressively pursuing her to extort and capitalize on her newfound abilities, Lex is forced to fight for her life and save those she loves from certain death.Aspen Offering Digital Omnibus Editions on Comixology:Aspen has teamed up with Comixology to offer large-scale omnibus editions of their popular flagship series Fathom, Soulfire and Executive Assistant: Iris. The Fathom Omnibus Edition Volumes 1 and 2 are available for purchase now, with the Executive Assistant: Iris and Executive Assistant: Assassins Omnibus Editions available on October 16th. November will see the release of the Soulfire Omnibus Edition Volumes 1 and 2.Aspen to Produce New Guided View Content For Comixology:Aspen will be offering all new titles featuring the Guided View feature on Comixology with more news and release dates to be revealed soon.
Follow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/10/aspen-comics-nycc-announcements.html

CoverTRISH OUT OF WATER #1
Vince Hernandez ­ Story / Giuseppe Cafaro - Pencils, Ruben Curto, Mirka Andolfo's Studio Parlapá ­ Colors / Josh Reed - LettersAspen¹s most unique 10 for 10 series makes it debut!What would you do if your life was turned upside down before it even really started? Trish Powell is about to find out, as she discovers that everything she thought she knew about being a teenager, friends, parents, and most importantly her own body, is all a lie. When her physical form begins to take on a life of its own, only Trish will be able to explore the true reality of her existence, and what it means to truly be all alone in an age when everyone is watching!Aspen¹s own Vince Hernandez is joined by the artistic talents of Giuseppe Cafaro to bring to you Aspen¹s newest hit series, TRISH OUT OF WATER!TRISH OUT OF WATER #1 is in stores October 16th, 2013!
Preview Page 1
Preview Page 2
Preview Page 3
Cover B
Cover D
Cover FFollow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/10/preview-trish-out-of-water-1.html

Cover
After the crash, a eco-social-environmental cataclysm that changed the Earth's natural order, we find the Kapital threading the seas in search of the Massive, her sister ship. Both belong to an environmental group called the Ninth Wave that roam the seas in a Greenpeace after the end of the World routine.Callum, Mag and Mary, the lead characters, are heads of that movement. Callum is the leader, Mag the soldier and Mary the wildcard. Together they run the Kapital and keep pressing on it search for the Massive.Internal and external conflicts keep getting in the way of their quest. Only time will tell if the can keep their Greenpeacian ways or if they'll turn to a more violent path.How is it?I came into The Massive with higher expectation than usual. I liked all of Brian Wood's book I've read thus far and I love post-apocalyptic settings in comics. Not that The Massive is set in a post-apocalyptic setting per se, but its close enough. So naturally this looked like a winner.Well, the premise of the book is interesting enough. The remnants of a ecological activist group are searching for their companions in arms that have been lost at sea, while struggling with moral conflicts about their place in the new world and dealing with all the scum that sail the expanded seas.
Is it the Massive?
Unfortunately the execution of this concept isn't the best one. Right from page one things start getting very confusing. Way more confusing that they needed to be. Between the weird pace at with the story is told and the awkwardly flashbacks transitions, its very easy to get lost.Art wise this book engaging enough. Dave Stewart, Garry Brown and Kristian Donaldson do a competent job in breathing life into Brian Wood's creations. While not being brilliant, they manage to offer a distinct art style to the book that stays coherent from start to finish. Sadly this doesn't make the book by itself.
Hush! One more out there.Verdict?After I carried this book around for about 4 weeks with me, I was just about halfway in. I just lost interest in the story. Sadly I can't recommend it. The Massive lacks that spark the good stories have. That little thing that keeps you turning the page and always hungry for more.Brian Wood has created great comic books in the past but this one is a miss. Skip it and go read some other Brian Wood book, like Channel Zero.Publisher: Dark HorseYear: 2013Pages: 176Authors: Brian Wood, Kristian Donaldson, Garry Brown, Dave StewartISBN: 1616551321Follow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-massive.html

Cover
Come one, come all and see how Francis goes from a sissy little boy to the maniac Franky. Learn how a sweet little boy became palls with The Goon.Come one, come all and meet the harlot to the sea. See what happens when The Goon tries to salvage a safe from the bottom of the sea. Nothing scares The Goon! Well, nothing except the ladies.Come on, come all and read about the superhero type mad scientist and his killer robot versus The Goon.And much more...How is it?Like the previous volume, this is a compilation of issue long stories and some short ones also. There is little narrative to hold all these together. In fact, apart from the stories about young Franky and the early days of Zombie Priest there is not much evolution of the Goon's story.
The Goon VS Killer Robot
But that's not a bad thing. The Goon is supposed to be fun (remember when comics where fun kids?) and it manages just that. Its a joy to read the pages of this comic book. Eric Powell has a strange, disturbing but very imaginative mind that creates the wildest stories about a mob enforcer and zombies. Its like the Twilight Zone in comics but with zombies and mooks.I won't go into detail here, but there are two that stand of of the fray. The Goon in the clutches of... the diabolical Dr. Alloy and A lost tale of The Goon.In the first one the Goon has to go against a mad scientist with a killer robot that decides to conquer the city. The contrast between the superhero type villain and The Goon is just delicious and makes for a super fun story. In the second you get to read about young Francis and his first encounter with The Goon.
Its mine!
The art is great. Eric Powell and Kyle Hotz do a great job putting this Universe on paper. There are some different art styles (apart from the regular for The Goon), but that doesn't create that jarring felling one gets with filler artists. Basically some of the short stories have distinct art styles. That helps Eric create a different mood for every story.Then there are a few artistic details that are just genial. Little things like portraying the femme fatal in a distinct style or the flashback art style. These little details make all the difference.Verdict?If I had to grade this book it would be a point bellow the previous volume. While it was a fun reading experience it lacked a bit of the WOW factor the first volume had. Having said that, this is a great book and you'll be grad you read it.Publisher: Dark HorseYear: 2010Pages: 128Authors: Eric Powell, Kyle HotzISBN: 1595826165Follow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-goon-volume-2.html

CoverALL NEW EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: IRIS #1
Brian Buccellato ­ Story / Pasquale Qualano ­ Pencils / John Starr - ColorsAn all-new direction for the Executive Assistant that started it all begins right now!EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS is free from the murky past that has haunted her fate and threatened her existence up until this point. Now, with her former master Ching, the mastermind Mazutsu and the CIA a distant memory, Iris will painstakingly discover that the start of a new life for an Executive Assistant can be anything...but free from danger!Aspen is proud to welcome writer Brian Buccellato (Flash, Black Bat), and penciler Pasquale Qualano (Soulfire: Grace) to the Iris family! Along with colorist John Starr, this incredible creative team is ready to bring you an ALL NEW EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS unlike anything you¹ve ever seen before!ALL NEW EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #1 is in stores September 18th, 2013!
Preview Page 1
Preview Page 2
Preview Page 3
Cover BFollow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/09/preview-all-new-executive-assistant.html

Cover
Pete Rogers and Giancarlo Caracuzzo are working to bring you a sci-fi tale about escaping the sins of the
past, reliving it and confronting it.The author's say it best (from the Kickstarter project page) :
On Pluto Cale Beckett is infamous.
He’s the poster boy used to instil fear into the Plutonian race.
But Cale Beckett is living in denial.
Beckett spends a solitary existence on a Tanzanian game reserve, with just his dog for company. He can remember the things he did on Pluto in the 70s and he’s been trying to forget about it ever since. When Pluto is downgraded to a planetoid, its new classification 134340 appears all over the media.
This reignites the wiped memories of all the mercenaries who used to police the planet, and they are killed before they can talk. But Cale is different, he never forgot what happened, and killing him won’t be so easy. When mercenaries are sent to kill him, on the same day that Pluto’s planet status is revoked, he knows something is wrong. And he knows his two oldest friends are dead. The only way to unearth the truth, means a trip back into his past and a return to Pluto, the Forgotten Planet.
Peter Rogers and Giancarlo Caruzzo presents the project:
You can became a backer of this project and help Peter and Giancarlo get this book made and to the printers until the 1st of October, 2013.I love sci-fi stories and this project really stands out. It was that Just a Pilgrim feel about it mixed with a little Total Recall (the original) and that makes for a potentially great reading experience. I hope it gets the funding it needs and that this book gets to see the light of day. Check it out.For more information check the Kickstarter project page.Follow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/09/forgotten-planet-kickstarter.html

Cover
Spider is back in this third volume of Transmetropolitan. Along with his new team of assistant and body guard he will take on one of the most important events of any Democratic country. The presidential elections.WAIT! Don't close this review just because we're talking about elections. After all Spider is a political journalist. And you've loved him thus far haven't you?This is when everything changes for Spider and his motley crew. Nothing will ever be the same (sorry about the cliche). Not for Spider, the Word or even The City.How is it?Spider has been dodging the bullet. He's been procrastinating for a while now (just like myself and the reviews for RGN) but there is no escaping the elections. A political journalist must cover the political event that might change the course of the country or risk loosing his readership.
Morning campaign ads
This might sound like a boring premise but somehow Warren Ellis turned it around into an exciting story. Its all about motivating Spider to go out and cover the elections, and in the process motivate the reader to be interested in a story about politics. Maybe I'm just reading too much into this, but at least you'll finally get a glimpse on why Spider exiled himself in the first place.This volume is one of my favorite of the 10 volume Transmetropolitan run, being topped only by the first and the last one. Simply because its in this volume that you'll start to know Spider on a deeper level. His motivations,dreams and fears start to unveil. He'll even like another human being, genuinely like another human being, even go so far as to admire her.One of my favorite, albeit not relevant to the big picture, aspect of this arc is when and how Spider comes to terms with his recently reacquired fame. Its what he hated the most about his pre-exile life and it came back with a vengeance, just to make him (even more) miserable.Art wise Darick Robertson does a great job. In fact, from here on he does a terrific job keeping the art consistent and vibrant.Verdict?This is here it all truly starts. If you enjoyed the 1st and 2nd volumes you should really get this one. The overall story arc for the next 7 volumes starts here. If you want to read Transmetropolitan this volume is of vital importance to the understanding of the overall story line. A must read.Publisher: VertigoYear: 2009Pages: 144Authors: Warren Ellis, Darick RobertsonISBN: 1401223125Follow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/09/transmetropolitanoton-3.html

CoverCHARISMAGIC: THE DEATH PRINCESS #3
Vince Hernandez ­ Story / Emilio Lopez ­ ArtThe final battle for Earth will decide the fate of not only all magical beings‹but also mankind as well! The powerful Kon and his collective group of magical entities wage war on Orlana and her thundering army, as they must defeat the Death Princess at all costs, or risk losing everything!Created and written by Aspen¹s own Vince Hernandez, with stunning art by Emilio Lopez and Jocelyn Dunn, don¹t miss out on the final issue of CHARISMAGIC: THE DEATH PRINCESS!CHARISMAGIC: THE DEATH PRINCESS #3 is in stores August 14th, 2013!
Preview Page 1
Preview Page 2
Preview Page 3
Cover BFollow Reading Graphic Novels on Facebook and Twitter.
Originally Published at Reading Graphic Novels http://readinggraphicnovels.blogspot.com/2013/08/preview-charismagic-death-princess-3.html